Offers tips for choosing an automated library system. Topics include dealing with vendors; talking to other librarians; visiting a similar library with the same system; print sources for system information; demonstration disks; salespeople; costs; and learning about automation company competitors. (LRW)

Print journals still outnumber e-journals by more than 60 to 1, yet these electronic resources will profoundly change the serials marketplace, as well as the world of scholarly research. This year's periodicals price study looks at these changes, along with currency and historical pricing, to predict 1999 subscription prices. (AEF)

Explains education portals as Web sites that help teachers, students, parents, and librarians work together to learn and to share information. Compares full-service portals and niche portals regarding audience, search engine, grade levels, community tools including email and lesson plans, content, cost, and best features. (LRW)